20 Day 200-Hour Breathwork and Yin Yoga Therapy Hybrid Teacher Training in Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka

Certifications

Students who complete the training are eligible to register with Yoga Alliance as Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT®) and additionally will receive a Yin Yoga Therapy™ and Breathwork Facilitator diploma as a component of Alexandra Denkinger, M.D.(ACU) physical therapy practice, licensed and registered as a Doctor of Medicine in Acupuncture M.D. (ACU) by the Indian Board of Alternative Medicine.

After the in-person immersion, you will receive with successful examination your diploma as a Breathwork facilitator and your Yin Yoga Therapy™ teacher certificate right away, but only after the completion of the online courses, you will be able to register as an RYT 200 (Registered Yoga Teacher) with Yoga Alliance.

Daily schedule

Here is an example day, but they adjust to sunrise or sunset, temperature, or mosquito time, and it might change a bit from day to day depending on sunset or sunrise times and the venue. Weekdays are study immersion; your weekends are free to explore the area and dedicate yourself to some self-study. Saturdays and Sundays are free, and there are no meals provided.

The mornings start with a nature meditation followed by some movement with guided Yang yoga classes. After breakfast, there are theory and methodology classes till lunch, followed by a long midday break. The late afternoons are dedicated to the Yin yoga practice and a sunset circle to complete the day.

Days can vary, but here is an example day:

• 06:30 - 07:00 Sunrise Sadhana - Spiritual self-practice time
• 07:00 - 07:20 Nature meditation
• 07:30 - 08:30 Active morning practice
• Breakfast break
• 09:15 - 10:15 Asana lab
• 10:20 - 11:20 Theory
• 11:30 - 12:30 Methodology
• Lunch and afternoon break
• 15:30 - 17:30 Yin yoga immersion
• 17:45 - 18:45 Sunset circle

How the training works

The focus is on a three-week immersion by the beach in Sri Lanka, complemented by an independent 40-hour self-paced online training. You can start the online training anytime after completing the sign-up, and you will have one year to go through the material at your own pace (the online material is independent of the in-person content). The Yin Yoga Therapy team is always available for active support throughout this process. You will receive access to the video material after full payment.

Deepen your understanding and enrich your personal and professional practice with the profound teachings of Yin yoga and the science and art of breathwork.

Breathwork

Gain a deep understanding of the transformative power of the breath and learn to skillfully guide others toward greater holistic health—whether through standalone breathwork sessions, integration within yoga and meditation, or as part of everyday living.

By incorporating these transformative techniques, you will be able to support people on the path to experience enhanced vitality, improved mental focus, stress reduction, and better respiratory health, while also exploring the subtler and more advanced dimensions of breathwork.

Yin Yoga Therapy

Yoga Therapy™ is a meditative, introspective practice is based on energetic meridian theory, mindfulness, and facilitating deep physical, emotional and energetic release. This training explores the practice, science, and philosophy of Yin Yoga Therapy™, as well as general anatomy and the traditional history of classical yoga.

You will develop a deep understanding of the body-mind connection, energetic and emotional balance, working with meridians and Chi, fascia, mobility and flexibility, empowering you with essential tools for you personal practice and skillful teaching.

3-week immersion

Immerse yourself in three life-changing weeks on the beautiful Island of Bali, where you bring ancient healing traditions to life through practical learning and embodied experience.

This in-depth training weaves together the profound practice of breathwork with the grounding art of Yin yoga, providing an expansive foundation for profound personal growth and comprehensive professional development as a breathwork facilitator and yoga teacher.

While Yin yoga is a component of this immersive experience, the extensive breathwork skills you acquire are versatile, can be applied independently, and prepare you to teach with confidence and depth.

This 200-hour Yoga Alliance certification program is a complete journey through theory, practice, advanced application, and the art of integration and teaching.

Over three immersive weeks, you will delve into the scientific principles, core practices, therapeutic applications, and advanced explorations of breathwork and Yin yoga that enhance physical, mental, emotional, and energetic well-being.

By learning to integrate these techniques with depth and integrity, you will bring a transformative new dimension to your personal life, and be equipped to develop substantial professional offerings or elevate your teaching to a new level of expertise. In a nutshell, you will learn:

Yin Yoga Therapy™ teaching mastery

Learn intelligent sequencing, skillful guidance with anatomical and trauma-aware considerations.

• Support in recovery and reduce inflammation: Learn how Yin Yoga Therapy™ aids in rehabilitation, enhances mobility and stability, and alleviates chronic pain by promoting healing and reducing inflammation through mindful, therapeutic poses.
• Meridians and energy flow: Understand Yin Yoga Therapy’s foundation in working with meridians and Chi flow in the body, supporting energetic alignment.

Foundations of breathwork

Explore the anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and biochemistry of respiration, tracing its ancient roots and yogic traditions as well as examining modern scientific perspectives.

• The nervous system and the breath: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the intricate connection between breath patterns and the nervous system (sympathetic/parasympathetic, heart reflexes, resilience), including a wide array of practical tools for regulation, stress reduction, and supporting oneself and others.
• Pranayama and applied breathwork: Master essential yogic breathing techniques (pranayamas) and modern applications, focusing on mechanics, awareness, biochemistry, and their practical integration in various contexts including standalone sessions, meditation, or practices like Yin yoga.
• Breathwork for emotional and physical well-being: Utilize a diverse range of breathwork techniques to address stress, anxiety, and panic, explore the subtle link between breath and pain, and provide effective tools to downshift and regulate the nervous system.
• Energetic and subtle body practices: Deepen your exploration of energy channels (Nadis), vital force (Prana), and specific techniques like nasal cycles and uni-nostril breathing, understanding their subtle effects.
• The female breath: Gain insights into adapting breathwork for the rhythms of the feminine body, including hormone cycles, pregnancy, and menopause.
• Advanced breathwork frontiers: Investigate practices such as controlled breath-holding (hypercapnia, hypoxia), adaptation to low-O₂ states, and (optionally) the principles and safe application of conscious overdrive techniques like deliberate hyperventilation.
• Mastering integration and the art of teaching: Develop comprehensive skills for structuring and delivering impactful and ethical breathwork sessions, workshops, and classes. Refine your teaching voice, learn to ensure safety, and integrate all learned aspects with integrity and nuanced understanding in complex settings.

Embodied teaching practice

Practice teaching yourself, receive constructive feedback and mentorship in mastering the art of teaching.

Experience additional practices, healing circles and chanting sessions

Deepen your practice with yoga Nidra, meditation, sound healing, mantra, and mudra techniques. Cultivate self-reflection, transformation, and meaningful community connections.

+ 40 hours self-paced online course

To complete a solid foundation for your yoga teacher 200-hour certification and a deep understanding of yoga in all its variations, they offer you an additional 40-hour self-paced online video course. Of these 40 hours, 20 hours are dedicated to anatomy and physiology, and 20 hours will focus on general yoga humanities.

The Anatomy 20 hours Online Course will look into the anatomy of the muscular and skeletal body, as well as the human physiology like the nervous system, including ‘fight, flight, freeze’ stress response, vagal theory, overall mind-body connection, cardiovascular/circulatory, endocrine, digestive systems and the respiratory system as they relate to yoga practice.

In the Yoga Humanities 20 Hours Online Course they share details about general yoga history, philosophy and foundations like the eight limbs and Patanjali’s yoga sutras, Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. You will get to know about the Chakras, Koshas, Prana Vaayus, Kleshas and more.

Both these video courses are independent from the in-person module you can start anytime after the complete sign-up and you will have one year time to go through the material at your own pace. The team is always available for active support throughout this process.

After the in-person immersion, you will receive with successful examination your diploma as Breathwork facilitator and your Yin Yoga Therapy™ teacher certificate right away, but only after the completion of the online courses, you will be able to register as an RYT 200 (Registered Yoga Teacher) with Yoga Alliance.

By the end of this journey, you will not only be certified in two transformational healing modalities—breathwork and Yin yoga—but will also have the tools and practical experience to share these practices with others. Whether you seek personal transformation, professional growth, or a deeper understanding of mind-body healing, this training is your gateway to a more balanced, aligned, and healthy life. Join this program and embark on this journey of wisdom, healing, and personal evolution.

Curriculum

Foundation of breathwork

• History, origins, tradition and modern scientific developments
• The science of respiration: physiological and energetic foundations
• Breath and the nervous system: understanding respiratory function, autonomic states, heart-brain coherence, and resilience
• Prana and the subtle body: energy channels (nadis), vital force (prana), and breath as a bridge between body and mind

Breathwork for mental and emotional well-being

• The concept of holistic well-being and the role of respiration
• How breathwork influences mood and cognitive function
• A wide array of breathwork techniques for emotional regulation and balance (addressing stress, anxiety, panic)
• Cultivating mindfulness and presence through breathwork
• Breathwork techniques for stress-related issues and the subtle link to pain regulation

Integrating breathwork into daily life and various practices

• Integrating breathwork into your daily routine
• Adapting breathwork practice to different energy levels and needs, including advanced adaptations
• Spiritual and meditative aspects of breathwork, explored in depth
• Addressing respiratory and nervous system imbalances

Breathwork applications and healing practices

• Case studies and diverse practical applications of breathwork techniques
• Extensive hands-on practice of diverse breathwork modalities, from foundational to advanced
• Integration of breathwork into various practices (e.g. yoga, meditation, therapeutic sessions, standalone breathwork offerings, workshops)
• A comprehensive breathwork approach to managing stress and promoting holistic well-being
• Understanding the role of spirituality in healing (as related to breath)

Advanced and exploratory breathwork

• Breathing beyond limits: hypercapnia, hypoxia and adaptation
• Conscious overdrive: deliberate hyperventilation and the warrior’s breath – including safety protocols
• The art and ethics of teaching breathwork
• Reflection and deep dive: teaching breath in various settings – ethics, safety protocols

A deep understanding of the science of breath

• Biomechanics: Explore the physical aspects of breathing, the role of the diaphragm and respiratory engagement
• Psychophysiology: Understand how breathing influences the nervous system, aiding individuals in managing stress and emotional balance.
• Biochemistry: Learn how breathing affects oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the body, impacting overall health and performance.

Foundation, definition and theory of Yin Yoga Therapy™

• Physical
• Energetic
• Soul and mind

Yin yoga practice

• 35 regular Yin yoga poses +
• Additional upper body poses, wall poses and modifications
• Functional and energetic aspects of the poses
• How and when to use props
• Intelligent sequencing

Yin yoga, chi and the meridian flow in the body

• Yin / yang / chi defined
• 12 primary traditional oriental medicine meridians and their healing wisdom
• Meridians addressed in each pose
• Physical, energetic and emotional value of each pose
• The 3 different ways to activate chi flow
• The transformative power of the rebound

Yoga philosophy and foundations

• History and people
• Overview of different yoga styles
• The 8 limbs of yoga
• Patanjali Yoga Sutras
• Pranayama
• Chakras, Koshas, Prana Vaayus, Kleshas
• Mudras and mantras
• Spiritual concepts

Basic anatomy and the theory of exercise

• Muscular and skeletal system
• Biomechanical principles, joints and their movements
• Physiology such as nervous system, cardiovascular, endocrine, digestive systems, respiratory system as they relate to the practice
• The vagal theory
• The physical theory of the practice
• Aesthetic vs. functional alignment
• Compression vs tension
• Understanding fascia and tensegrity
• Sensory processing, interoception and proprioception
• When and how to apply Yin yoga principles in physical therapy to release pain

The art of teaching and guiding

• Intention / expression / context / tools
• Trauma-aware approach to teaching Yin and as wellness guide
• Embodied practical experience / peer teaching practicum

Professional development

• Class management and general professionalism
• Credentialing process with Yoga Alliance
• Ethical guidelines for a Yin yoga teacher and breathwork facilitator
• Responsibility, equity and accountability
• Scope of practice and Code of Conduct

Daily yoga and meditation practice

• Morning start with meditation/mindfulness
• Morning class of dynamic Yang styles of yoga for the balance
• Daily Yin yoga immersion

Sunset / sunrise circles

• Meditation / breathwork / yoga Nidra
• Conscious connection sharing circles, sound healing, kirtan, cacao ceremony
• Mindful sunset / sunrise walks and activities